Background checks possibly compromised by hack of government personnel records

Tribune News Service

June 16, 2015

WASHINGTON — Still unknown about one of the largest hacks of government personnel records two weeks after it was revealed: how many of the millions of records pilfered belonged to people working for the military or the country’s intelligence services.

The Office of Personnel Management acknowledged in a statement Tuesday that the hack may have compromised information from background checks into current, former and potential government employees.

But during an appearance before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, OPM Director Katherine Archuleta was reluctant to address publicly the question of how many of those were in sensitive positions. She offered to discuss the issue in a closed-door meeting.

Archuleta promised that her agency would notify the people who may have had their information stolen. But she said investigations are ongoing and it still isn’t clear exactly what information was taken or who was responsible for the attack.

The records of as many as 14 million federal employees may have been accessed.

Archuleta also appeared reluctant to explain why sensitive personal information, like birth dates and Social Security numbers, was not encrypted, drawing a strong response from Chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah.

“We didn’t ask you to come read statements,” he said. “I want to know why you didn’t encrypt the information.”